I Didn't Want a Watch!

Drama Script (DRA033) I didn’t want a watch! © Jane Hulme 2017 Aim of Script: Use of Script: DRAMA: “I DIDN’T WANT A WATCH!” (DRA033) To demonstrate ingratitude in the face of generosity, challenging people to examine their hearts to discern if they are grateful for all that God has given them. In an All Age Worship service the script could be preceded by teaching that God is a very generous God and that He is constantly blessing us with good gifts. The problem is that we often focus on the things that we don’t like in life and grumble, rather than focusing on all that we have been given and show gratitude. The script could be followed by reinforcing the teaching that God gives us many good gifts but we often focus on the things we don’t like, which grieves God. Move into an act of Thanksgiving. This could include people spending time writing down some of the good things that God has given them followed by a time of sung worship. You may also include a Confession prayer, confessing ingratitude and grumbling! Gratitude, Thankfulness, Grumbling Psalm 100:4, 106:1, 147:7, Colossians 3:16, 1Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 2:14, 1Corinthians 10:10 Millie (a young teenage girl) dressed in school uniform, Mum, Dad A pile of wrapped parcels placed upon a table as follows: 1) A tin of sweets 2) Anuptodatemobilephone 3) A flat screen television 4) A pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones 5) A smoothie maker / blender 6) A watch Main themes: Biblical references: Cast: Props: ........................................................................................................................ Enter Millie from the back of church, and dancing towards the front of the church singing “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me!” She stops at the front of church and sees the pile of presents on the table. She is ecstatic and runs over to begin opening them.) Millie: Oh just look at all these presents. .......this has to be the best birthday yet. I wonder what I’ve been given.....I’ve just got time to open these presents before I go to school. (Millie unwraps first present - a tin of sweets) Millie: Wow.....what a huge tin of sweets. I shall really enjoy these and there’s plenty here to share with my friends..... thanks mum and dad © Jane Hulme 2017 2 (She unwraps next present - a mobile phone) Millie: Oh this is amazing........an iphone 7 (or whatever is the latest version) .......I never thought I’d get one of these phones......wait until I show my friends at school.....they will be so jealous! (She unwraps next present - a portable TV) Millie: Oh brilliant.....my own television for my bedroom......this is just what I wanted. Now I won’t have to wait for my dad’s gardening programmes to finish before I can watch the TV. Oh aren’t mum and dad just the best ......they knew I wanted one of these? (She unwraps next present - a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones) Millie: I can’t believe it...... mum and dad have been so generous this year. Look at these .....wireless Bluetooth headphones.......I never dreamt that they’d buy me these as well as the television. How wonderful! (She unwraps next present – a smoothie maker or blender) Millie: This just gets better and better....... I have wanted one of these for ages. I love smoothies and now I can make my own......I shall have to have a smoothie party and invite all my friends round to make their favourite flavour of smoothie.....I’m so happy.....can this day get any better? (She unwraps next present - a watch. She holds it, looks at it and frowns. She then speaks in anger) Millie: What on earth is this? I didn’t say that I wanted a watch. Why did my parents buy me one of these......I don’t want this! I know what this is all about.....they are giving me a hint about coming home on time. Well I don’t want it.....stupid present. (Throws watch on floor) (Enter Mum and Dad) Mum: Happy birthday Millie....... I can see that you have found your presents. Dad: Happy birthday Millie.......oh dear you’re looking rather cross. We have spent so much time carefully selecting your presents. Don’t you like them? Millie: Why did you buy me a watch? I have never wanted a watch.......it’s a useless present... Mum: We thought it would help you keep time during your exams ..... Millie: I wouldn’t use a watch....there is a clock in the hall where we take our exams. I mean it’s even got a black strap and you know I don’t like the colour black. Dad: Well never mind about the watch. Did you like the television and the wireless headphones? Millie: Dad I really don’t understand why you bought me a watch. Have I ever once in my life mentioned that I wanted a watch........with a black strap...... and look it isn’t even digital? Mum: But what about the mobile phone and the smoothie maker? Aren’t you pleased with those? © Jane Hulme 2017 3 Millie: Dad: Millie: Mum you don’t seem to understand me. I thought you loved me and yet you have gone out and bought me a watch for my birthday. I feel so cross about it. I just don’t understand what you are trying to say to me. Come on Millie.......look at that huge tin of sweets......we know that they are your favourites. I’m speechless.....speechless. My parents have given me a watch...... something I don’t want, something I haven’t asked for and something I don’t need. I feel so unloved...... (Turning to parents Millie shouts:) I hope you are happy because you have ruined my birthday! (runs off stage) (Mum and dad sadly walk off together) © Jane Hulme 2017 4